History of Apple News in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 1, 2025

Apple News is a news aggregator application developed by Apple for its various operating systems (iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS). Launched with iOS 9 as the successor to Newsstand, it allows users to access news articles based on their selected publishers, websites, and topics. The app provides a personalized news reading experience, enabling users to stay informed on subjects they find relevant, such as technology and politics.

September 16, 2015: Apple News released with iOS 9

On September 16, 2015, Apple News was released alongside the iOS 9 release for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. At launch, the app was only available to users in the United States, but within a month had become available to users in Australia and the United Kingdom.

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June 13, 2016: Apple News updates announced at WWDC 2016

On June 13, 2016, it was revealed that with the forthcoming iOS 10 update the News app would undergo new icon and app redesigns along with an improved For You section organized by topics. Furthermore, it was announced that there would be support for paid subscriptions for certain news sources and publishers as well as an opt-in system for breaking news notifications and email on top news stories.

June 4, 2018: Apple News coming to macOS

On June 4, 2018, Apple announced that the Apple News app would be ported to macOS and be available to users in Australia, United Kingdom, and United States starting in macOS 10.14.

February 2019: Publishers report frustration over Apple News revenue

In February 2019, it was reported that publishers are frustrated over the platform's lack of revenue, despite seeing steady growth in audience over the past year.

March 25, 2019: Apple News+ launched and News app updated

On March 25, 2019, iOS 12.2 was released with the updated News app that introduced subscriptions through Apple's "Apple News+" service, which was announced on the same day. The icon for Apple News also changed, putting the N in the icon front and center with a slightly changed design. The same month, Apple introduced support for the News app in Canada, including the News+ subscription service.

July 15, 2020: Apple Announces Audio Stories in Apple News+

On July 15, 2020, Apple announced the addition of audio stories in Apple News+, which allows subscribers to listen to narrated versions of articles in a similar fashion to a podcast under a new Audio tab.

July 2020: Apple News+ adds Audio tab

In July 2020, Apple added an Audio tab for US News+ subscribers, as well as support listening to audio news stories in CarPlay.

September 15, 2020: Apple News+ bundled in Apple One Premier package

On September 15, 2020, Apple announced that Apple News+ would be bundled in the Premier package of Apple One alongside iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+ and Apple Fitness+.

March 2023: Apple News app gets dedicated Sports tab

In March 2023, Apple introduced a dedicated Sports tab to the app with the release of iOS 16.4, providing stories and coverage for a user's favourite teams.